Ecclestone claims that he has 2014 contract with Pirelli

Amid the ‘test-gate’ saga and uncertainty about the future of Pirelli in the sport, Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that he does in fact have a contract beyond 2013 with the Italian tyre manufacturer.

Until now, with the Italian marque pushing hard for a new deal but at the same time expressing frustration with its situation in Formula 1, it was thought that Pirelli had no contract beyond its original three-year deal covering 2011, ’12 and ’13.

But when asked on Thursday about Pirelli’s situation, chief executive Ecclestone told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt,: “We have got a contract with Pirelli for next year.”

Presumably, Ecclestone was referring to the organisation he leads, Formula 1 Management, who control the sport’s commercial rights separately from the governing FIA.